Sunday, February 23rd
I was hoping to break 18:20, but with the hills and heat (a random 70 degree day) I was lucky to get under 19 minutes.
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| Colonial 5K 1st Female, 18:42 Can't complain about the first place prize :) Thank you Colonial Road Runners and New Balance!   |
Saturday, March 1st
The race that almost wasn't. Talk about pure luck. I arrived at Fort Eustis nice and early because I knew they'd be checking IDs and possibly vehicles before they let us on base. I watched vehicle after vehicle get in .. no problem. My turn.
Me: "Hello Officer"
Officer: "Good Morning ma'am. Licence and registration. Umm ma'am, do you realize your inspection sticker expired over 6 months ago."
Me: "WHAT!?!" (I wasn't even playing dumb...I honestly didn't realize it had expired.)
Officer: "..and I can ticket you...but I won't. Unfortunately I can't let you on base."
Me: "But I'm supposed to race in 40 minutes."
Officer: "You can park your car over there and walk in since you have your ID."
Me: "But I'll have to run a few miles to the starting line and I'll be exhausted before the race even begins. Will you stop me if I try to hitch a ride with someone?"
Officer: "Nope. Good luck."
Thank you kind, older gentleman that happily let me hitch a ride to the race. I hope I run into you at more races. And thank you to my co-worker and her husband who drove me back to my car after the race.
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| Ft. Eustis 10K New age group record I technically ran two races in one week with the 5K on Sunday followed by the 10K on Saturday. I thought I was capable of running faster but my body was clearly exhausted. 
However, this was my first time under 40 minutes for a 10K so I left the race with a smile, a nice plaque, and no ticket. In case you're wondering, I went straight to Precision Tune Auto Care and got my car inspected..it passed ;-)
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Saturday, March 16th
This is when the wheels started to fall off. In fact, this is the first race in a long time where I considered dropping out. No joke, this was me by mile 2:
If you spoke to me after the race, I don't remember. I was out of it, exhausted, my brain was mush and my body clearly needed a break. I kept hoping I would feel better with each passing mile. It was only an 8K (approximately 5 miles) but I felt like I had to all out sprint the entire thing. I won't even post pictures from the race. I looked like hell! Just awful :-/
I was very disappointed in my time. I thought I was capable of running about a minute faster. But considering the level of competition I was proud to be one of the top 20 women out of 5,162 females. Oh and shout out to J&A Racing! I was miserable but they sure know how to put on a great race. Always organized, great competition, plenty of fluids on the course, cool swag, fun post-race festivities (I was too out of it to enjoy them this year but from past races I know they can throw a good after party). Once I quit pouting and overanalyzing I actually enjoyed a nice dinner and wine with a friend and got to watch some of the half marathon and full marathon the next day.
With a half marathon on my schedule for April I knew I had to take a short break from training. Well, I probably wouldn't have taken a break but my Dad talked some sense into me. I ended up going a few days with no running, only easy swimming and some indoor cycling. Once I started to feel recovered I slowly added a few miles of running in here and there.
Sometimes I wonder what keeps me going...why I keep signing up for races knowing how brutal they can feel at times..why I train for three sports (swim-bike-run)...why I let my body get muscular and slightly unfeminine! But then I think, how could I not do this. I have met soooo many wonderful people while out on a run, at the track, in the next lane at the pool, at the bike shop, and at races. I have made life long friends during the most random moments. I have met unbelievably talented athletes. I keep going because it has made me a stronger person both mentally and physically. It has gotten me through challenging times and it has forced me to take proper care of myself.
In closing (this is beginning to sound like a college paper), the half marathon I mentioned above has already happened but it deserves it's own separate post. I'll write more about it once my anger subsides and I no longer feel like going to war with the people that organized the Dismal Swamp Half Marathon. If you visit the Mettle Events Facebook page you'll probably see what I'm referring to.
Until then......
